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Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: India’s Cleanliness Revolution

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• GS Paper 2: Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and Issues arising out of their Design and Implementation.
• Tags: #SwachhBharatAbhiyan #cleanIndia #Janandolan #UPSC #CurrentAffairs.

Why in the News?

Union Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted the transformative impact of ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan,’ inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s ethos of ‘Swachhata hi Seva.’ He joined a cleanliness drive in Ahmedabad, echoing Prime Minister Modi’s call for public participation on Gandhi’s birth anniversary.

Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan  to Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan

• Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan was launched in 1999 as as a government-led initiative to improve rural sanitation and promote hygiene.
• Objective: It aimed to promote sanitation facilities and end open defecation, particularly in rural areas.
• In 2014, Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan underwent a transformation and was relaunched as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

• Swachh Bharat Mission commenced on October 2, 2014, under the leadership of the Prime Minister of India.
• It was a nationwide campaign (Janandolan) focused on accelerating sanitation efforts.
• Universal Sanitation: The overarching goal was to achieve universal sanitation coverage in India.

Goals of the Swachh Bharat Mission

Sustainable ODF Behaviors

• Sustained Open Defecation-Free (ODF) Communities: Ensuring ODF behaviors persist, leaving no one behind.

Accessible Waste Management

• Solid and Liquid Waste Facilities: Making waste management accessible to all and reinforcing ODF practices.

Ecologically Safe Technologies

• Cost-Effective, Ecological Solutions: Promoting affordable and environmentally friendly sanitation technologies.

Community-Managed Systems

• Scientific Waste Management: Developing community-managed systems for Solid & Liquid Waste Management, enhancing rural cleanliness and hygiene.

Swachh Bharat Mission Progress

In nine years, the Swachh Bharat or Clean India mission has made significant progress.

• Achieving ODF Plus Status: With 14 states and 8 Union Territories achieving 100% Open Defecation-Free (ODF) Plus or ODF Plus status.
• ODF Plus Villages: As of October 1, 2023, 75% of Indian villages, totaling 4.49 lakh villages, declared themselves ODF Plus.
• Sanitation Facilities: The campaign has resulted in the construction of 11,23,41,558 household toilets and 33,782 household biogas plants in ODF Plus villages.
• School Participation:4 crore school children joined ‘Swachh Sankalp Se Swachh Siddhi’ during Swachhata Pakhwada.
• Rashtriya Swachhata Kendra (RSK): An AudioVisual Experiential center inaugurated on August 8, 2020, in New Delhi for awareness on sanitation.
• Health Impact: Reduction in deaths due to diarrhoea, malaria, stillbirths, and improved child health and nutrition in ODF villages.

Recognition and Awards

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan received international recognition and awards for its efforts to improve sanitation and cleanliness, Like

• Champions of the Earth Awardby the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 2019,
• Goalkeeper Awardby the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2019,
• Public Private Partnership Awardby the World Bank in 2018,
• Water for Life Awardby the World Economic Forum in 2017

Waste Management

Several villages now have waste management systems in place, including

• Solid Waste Management (2,32,889 villages)
• Liquid Waste Management (3,82,395 villages)
• Plastic Waste Management (2,388 villages)
• GOBARdhan plants (1,631 villages)

States and UTs Achieving 100% ODF Plus

• Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Goa, Dadra-Nagar Haveli and Daman-Diu, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tripura, and Andaman-Nicobar
• Are among the regions achieving 100% ODF Plus status.

ODF Plus Model Villages

• Jammu and Kashmir, Andaman and Nicobar, Dadra Nagar Haveli, Daman Diu, and Sikkim have the prestigious ‘ODF Plus Model’ status,
• Indicating comprehensive cleanliness and waste management.

Impact of Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan

Reduced Open Defecation

• The SBA significantly reduced open defecation from 55% in 2014 to 35% in 2022, according to the World Bank.
• Open defecation is a major health hazard leading to diseases like diarrhea and cholera.

Improved Sanitation

• The campaign provided toilets to millions of households and public places.
• Enhanced cleanliness of public toilets, reducing the spread of diseases.
• Improved sanitation led to an increase in the proportion of women using non-shared toilets from 31% in 2014-15 to 55% in 2019-21.

Increased Hygiene Awareness

• Raised awareness about handwashing, waste disposal, and hygiene practices.
• Led to behavioral changes and disease reduction.
• Improved sanitation and hygiene can increase productivity by up to 2% and reduce healthcare costs by up to 20%, as per the World Bank.

Economic Benefits

• Generated jobs in construction and sanitation sectors.
• Improved worker productivity, contributing to economic growth.

Social Benefits

• Elevated the dignity of women and marginalized communities.
• Reduced discrimination and promoted social equity.

Environmental Benefits

• Reduced pollution and contamination.
• Conservation of water resources and a healthier environment.
• The SBA generated over 10 million jobs and saved the Indian economy over ₹1 trillion (US$12.5 billion) in healthcare costs, according to estimates by the World Bank

Tourism Boost

• Improved cleanliness attracted more tourists to India.

Improved Public Health

• Reduced incidence of diseases like diarrhea and respiratory infections.
• Enhanced overall health and well-being.

Increased Life Expectancy

• Fewer deaths due to sanitation-related diseases, leading to longer and healthier lives.

Happiness Improvement

• Created a cleaner, healthier, and more equitable society.
• Enhanced the overall quality of life for Indians.

Challenges faced by SWA

• In 2022, a study by the National Council of Applied Economic Research found that over 60% of public toilets in India were non-functional.
• In 2021, a study by the Centre for Science and Environment found that only 42% of rural households in India had access to piped water, which is essential for proper sanitation and hygiene.
• In 2020, a study by the World Bank found that India’s economic losses due to poor sanitation and hygiene amounted to $53.8 billion per year.
• Lack of funding: In 2022-23, the Government of India allocated ₹19,694 crore to the SBA. However, this is still not enough to meet the scale of the challenge.
• Open Defecation in Rural Areas: due to traditional beliefs, lack of infrastructure, and awareness issues.
• Sustainability: Ensuring the long-term sustainability of sanitation facilities and behavioral changes is a challenge.
• Urban Sanitation: challenging due to inadequate infrastructure, rapid urbanization, and limited space for waste disposal.
• Waste Management: Many areas still lack proper waste collection and disposal mechanisms, leading to pollution and health hazards.
• Behavioral Change: Changing deep-rooted habits and cultural practices related to sanitation requires sustained awareness campaigns and community engagement.
• Inclusivity: Ensuring sanitation facilities are accessible to all, including marginalized communities, differently-abled individuals, and remote areas, is a challenge.
• Policy Implementation: Effective coordination and implementation of sanitation policies at various administrative levels remain a challenge.
• Climate Change Impacts: Increasing climate change-related challenges, such as flooding and water scarcity, can impact sanitation infrastructure and waste management.

Way Forward

• Sustained Behavior Change: Maintain and reinforce behavioral change through continuous awareness campaigns and community engagement.
• Infrastructure Enhancement: Focus on completing sanitation infrastructure in underserved areas and ensure quality maintenance.
• Waste Management: Strengthen solid waste management systems and promote recycling and proper disposal.
• Access to Clean Water: Ensure reliable water supply for sanitation purposes.
• Data-Driven Monitoring: Implement robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track progress accurately.

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has made remarkable strides in improving sanitation and hygiene in India. To sustain and build on these achievements, continued commitment, community involvement, and innovative approaches are essential for a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous India.

Source: Observer Research Foundation, News18, SwachhBharatMission.gov

Mains Question

Discuss the key objectives and achievements of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) in India. How has this mission contributed to the improvement of public health and sanitation practices in the country?